Chimneys play an important role in the safety of your home. Whether you use your fireplace as your main source of heat or only as a cozy option on a cold night, the chimney needs to be maintained. This includes periodic inspections to check the structure for damage or leaks that could be a safety hazard. If it has been many years or you don’t know when your chimney was last inspected, it is time to schedule a chimney professional to perform a complete inspection.
Dangers of Old Chimneys
Chimneys can last for many decades but they do need cleaning and repair. Cleaning can remove the creosote, the resin that can start chimney fires, but it doesn’t repair chimney damage. If there are leaks inside the chimney, chimney fires can occur, even if they have been cleaned.
Another danger of old chimneys is structural damage. Settling and corrosion can impact the stability of a chimney. There are usually signs of deterioration, like leaning, cracks or crumbling bricks, but not always. An unstable chimney could come crashing down, endangering anyone below when it falls.
Professional Chimney Inspections
Every few years it is a good idea to schedule a chimney inspection, especially for chimneys that are decades old. A professional chimney inspector can check the inside and outside of the chimney to ensure it is still safe and structurally sound. If there are repairs that are needed, these can be performed proactively, reducing the risk of fires or collapse.
Home maintenance is almost always less expensive than repairs or replacement, including chimney maintenance. Make sure to schedule routine chimney cleanings and inspections to avoid the risks of chimney fires and deterioration.
Posted on behalf of:
Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs
1027 Oregon Trail
Marietta, GA 30008
(770) 422-2924
When the warm spring weather arrives, you may be more than happy to stop stoking the fire and open your windows. While the heating season may be over, it is time to do any needed maintenance to your system. If you have a fireplace with a chimney, performing chimney maintenance needs to be done to protect your home and family. Here are some of chimney maintenance tasks you should add to your to-do list this spring or summer.
Chimney Cleaning
Creosote is a natural-occurring by-product of burning wood. This build-up in your chimney can cause blockages and chimney fires. If you use your woodstove or fireplaces as a main source of heat, you may need to have your chimney swept or cleaned every year. If a build-up of 1/8” of soot or any glaze is indication that your chimney needs cleaning.
Inspection
It is important to have your chimney fully inspected each year. You can do a visual inspection of the exterior to look for settling or cracks in your chimney. Any masonry issues should be repaired immediately. However, it is important to have a professional inspection to check the interior of the chimney, the damper and other elements.
One of the reasons not to wait to complete chimney maintenance until fall is if there are repairs needed. If the chimney structure needs repairs it can take time. Chimney professionals are busy in the fall and you may run into issues getting your chimney repaired in time for winter.
As soon as you are ready to shutdown your fireplace for the season, schedule your inspection with a local chimney specialist. They can let you know if you need a cleaning or repairs to give you plenty of time to perform the maintenance needed before it is time to start a fire again.
Posted on behalf of:
Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs
1027 Oregon Trail
Marietta, GA 30008
(770) 422-2924
Chimneys can last for decades, safely removing smoke from your home and keeping your fireplace ventilated. However, they do need maintenance and repairs to keep them safe and functional. There are an estimated 25,000 chimney fires and many other chimney problems that occur every year. If you have an older chimney, you need to make sure it kept maintained. Have you inspected your chimney to ensure it is ready to last the winter?
Signs of Chimney Problems
A routine check of your chimney is the best way to catch signs of disrepair. As your chimney gets older, it may settle or become unstable. This can allow air in that can cause a chimney fire or result in a collapsed chimney. Some signs to look for include:
If you notice any of these problems, call a chimney or masonry expert to schedule a professional inspection and repair. This can prevent chimney failure during the winters months and keep your family safe.
Posted on behalf of:
Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs
1027 Oregon Trail
Marietta, GA 30008
(770) 422-2924
When looking at possible new homes, there are many different factors to consider. Size, location, schools, price and possible problems with the home are all on the list of concerns before investing in a new home. While home inspections are used to identify any possible problems in the home, they are only an overview of many different structures and systems in the home. If the home has a fireplace and chimney, a general chimney outside inspection is usually completed, but it may not be enough to find serious problems within the chimney structure.
Benefits of Professional Chimney Inspections
If you are considering buying an older home that has a chimney, it may be worth the investment to have a separate chimney inspection performed by a masonry expert. Chimney structural issues can exist that are not evident and are often missed in standard home inspections. Having a professional chimney inspection before committing to a purchase can benefit the buyer with the following benefits:
Serious structure issues in a chimney can be dangerous and an expensive surprise for new homeowners. It is worth the investment for a professional chimney inspection, especially on homes that have older masonry in place. Choose a masonry expert that perform level one, two and three chimney inspections that are not covered with standard home sale inspections. This can uncover any possible issues or give your potential home a clean bill of chimney health for your peace of mind.
Posted on behalf of:
Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs
1027 Oregon Trail
Marietta, GA 30008
(770) 422-2924
When was the last time your chimney was inspected? Maybe it was when you bought the home, a few years ago or possibly you have never had it properly inspected. Considering the importance of a chimney in heating your home and the consequences of a damaged chimney, it should be a higher priority than it tends to be for many homeowners. Here are some basics on why and how often you should have your chimney inspected.
Your chimney is exposed to the elements, both from the fires you burn and the outside weather. The interior can be damaged through the acidic material that is deposited through the combustion process, breaking down the chimney material. Plus, the inside and outside can be affected from storms, wind and other weather. Even the ground beneath your home can affect your chimneys structure, causing shifting and settling from erosion and other influences.
Other reasons to have your chimney inspected include blockages and buildup inside the chimney. Creosote can accumulate inside the chimney, putting you at risk for a chimney or house fire. Wildlife and debris can enter the chimney, causing blockages that can be dangerous when you start using your fireplace again.
Inspections of your chimney should be done annually for preventive measures. A professional chimney service can check the interior for blockages, buildup and damage that cannot be seen from a visual outside inspection. They can also look for any signs of structure issues or settling that may need to be repaired. The best time to schedule your inspection is in the late summer, early fall, before you will need to use your fireplace again. This allows time to have your chimney cleaned or repaired before the colder weather begins to occur.
Posted on behalf of:
Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs
1027 Oregon Trail
Marietta, GA 30008
(770) 422-2924
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